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Snowy roads help stop thief

The snow and ice proved to be a big help to a Colorado Springs repairman who had his tools stolen Monday morning. Ron Robertson was headed into the Home Depot when he spotted a man taking his tool boxes out of his truck.

He ran up to the man's minivan and pounded on the window trying to get him to stop but he wouldn't.

"Normally I always lock the thing up because I've had some tools stolen before," Robertson said.

Inside were roughly $1,500 worth of mechanics and wood repair tools. Robertson figured the thief was gone, but he then caught up to the minivan at a traffic light and decided to follow after him.

"He was driving faster than I was, he was accelerating away from us," Robertson said.

Nevertheless, he was determined not to let the van out of his sight.

"Lets put it this way, and it's mildly, I do not like thieves and if I've got a chance to catch one or turn one in, I'm going to do it every time."

As they made their way south on Austin Bluffs, the man lost control just after Dublin and drove up on the median. He even up-rooted a tree before coming to a stop.

Patrol officer Christopher Pryor says the suspect then ran away on foot, leaving the van still running. He says it's not often that the snowy roads work out in someone's favor.

"It worked out for the victim, that's for sure. He got his stuff back," Pryor said.

There were stolen license plates on the minivan that didn't match the vehicle's registration. Pryor says it's unclear whether the van itself was stolen as well. Still he doesn't recommend anyone try to repeat Robertson's performance.

"Even if it was nice outside, I wouldn't recommend giving chase," Pryor said. "If you're able to get a plate, good description for us, preferably a plate that would help."